Very fine and large separately issued map of the city and harbour of Cadiz, prepared by the French navy during the Peninsular War. This map was issued by the Dépôt Général de la Marine, the French equivalent of the Admiralty, and is a masterpiece of its kind. An island naval fortress, Cadiz was a crucial British bastion during the Peninsular War. Joseph Bonaparte, whilst in overall command of French forces in Spain, overlooked its capture when the French were still winning victories against Spanish armies. This proved a major oversight because Cadiz made an admirable base and resupply point for British forces under Wellington. British supply ships could come and go at will.

Very fine and large separately issued map of the city and harbour of Cadiz, prepared by the French navy during the Peninsular War. This map was issued by the Dépôt Général de la Marine, the French equivalent of the Admiralty, and is a masterpiece of its kind. An island naval fortress, Cadiz was a crucial British bastion during the Peninsular War. Joseph Bonaparte, whilst in overall command of French forces in Spain, overlooked its capture when the French were still winning victories against Spanish armies. This proved a major oversight because Cadiz made an admirable base and resupply point for British forces under Wellington. British supply ships could come and go at will.When the French belatedly realised its strategic importance, they attempted to besiege the site with some 20,000 men but the British garrison held out without much difficulty against the French attackers who were under-supplied and short of food. British reinforcements continued to arrive at Cadiz unimpeded by the French navy. In March 1811, the British under General Sir Thomas Graham actually sallied out from Cadiz and inflicted a heavy defeat on the French under Marshal Victor at Barrosa (hence the Barrosa Valley in South Australia). Cadiz never fell to the French despite a solid blockade and continued its valuable role as a resupply base until the end of hostilities in 1814.